How to Become a Camp Tioga CIT

One of the greatest memories any child can have is attending summer camp, especially here at Camp Tioga! From Tioga traditions such as Color Olympics to incredible activities such as kayaking, the possibilities are endless if you’re a Tioga camper! But after you've spent your last summer with us, it doesn't have to end there - because you can return as a counselor! If this applies to you, then here’s what you need to know about joining our CIT Program:

What Is the CIT Program?

The CIT Program, or Counselor in Training Program, was created to give former Tioga campers the opportunity to become camp counselors at their very own summer home: Camp Tioga. Unlike most sleepaway camps, Tioga is special and gives our beloved camper family the opportunity to continue their time at Tioga, and lead our current campers to greatness, all in the name of fun!

What Does the CIT Program Entail?

If you’re interested in applying for the CIT Program at Tioga, you’ll be in for a whirlwind of fun and great preparation. Once you’re accepted into our CIT Program, future-counselors will be provided with the best resources for training that will then set them up for greatness in their future at Camp Tioga. In addition to going through a incredible array of training, CIT Program participants will also have an inside look as to how Camp Tioga operates and how they can be the best camp counselors ever.

What Can the CIT Program Do For You?

When participating in the CIT Program, you’re not only in training to become a wonderful camp counselor at Tioga, but you’re also adding some incredible resources to your resume. When applying for a job, many potential employers will be looking for leadership skills, in addition to experience in time management. When you become a counselor at Camp Tioga, not only will you have this skill set, but you’ll also be paving the way for current Tioga campers to also be destined for greatness.

Interested in continuing your journey at Tioga, but from the standpoint of being a camp counselor? Please call us at 516-938-0849 or visit our website for more information. At Camp Tioga, we work with our campers to improve and develop new skills, as well as help build their confidence and self-esteem. We are confident that Camp Tioga is the right fit for any child.

3 After-School Activities That Replicate Camp Activities

As we dive deeper into the school year, it’s not uncommon for your child to start feeling the summertime blues and miss their time at camp with friends. If your camper starts to feel this way, fear not — there are an array of after school activities, that many grade schools offer, that replicate those we have at Tioga! Let us suggest the following:

Activity 1: Basketball

Just like dribbling around the courts of Camp Tioga, our campers can relive their fondest summer sporting adventures by playing basketball at school! Like most grade schools, basketball is one of the most popular after-school activities to be played. Whether your child joins a team or creates their own with friends, this sport can be enjoyed on a multitude of levels — all while having fun, in the traditional Tioga way!

Activity 2: Performing Arts

From theatre to music, Tioga campers have it all when they spend the summer at the greatest sleepaway camp on earth! Just like basketball, the performing arts are common to encounter at many grade schools and are an absolute joy to participate in — because after all, the performing arts are a great way for young artists to express their creativity for all to enjoy!

Activity 3: Track and Field

Does your camper have a knack for running? Just like the wonderful track and field program we have here at Tioga, your child can join the school track and field program at their school — or start their own amongst friends. With a series of opportunities for running, your camper will relive their fondest summer memories, while doing what they love!

At Camp Tioga, we work with our campers to improve and develop new skills, as well as help build their confidence and self-esteem. We are confident that Camp Tioga is the right fit for any child. If you would like to become apart of our family, call 516-938-0894 or visit our website to enroll today!

3 Benefits of Unplugging at Home

In the twenty-first century, we’re surrounded by technology on a twenty-four hour basis. From smartphones to smart televisions, there’s no escape from this digital universe that has been created. While there are many benefits to technology, it’s great to unplug from it too. Here are some of the benefits why it’s great to unplug at home:

Benefit 1: More Family Time

One of the the biggest benefits of unplugging from technology is that increases family time, in terms of communication. Here at Camp Tioga, we pride ourselves in having technology-free campers! This helps open up lines of communication and ceases digital interactions — why text it, when you can say it? It’s important to unplug at home, since it will make your children more prone to asking you a question in person (when possible) rather than text it.

Benefit 2: Less Eye Strain

Fact: when you use a smartphone for a long period of time, it will strain your eyes. When you decide to unplug, it will not only increase conversational moments at home, but it will also protect your eyes. When our campers attend a summer at Tioga, not only do they disconnect from technology, but they’re also able to use that time to more effectively, such as partaking in fun activities like sports, swimming, hiking and more!

Benefit 3: Increases Productivity

When your attention is consumed by a computer, television, or smartphone, you tend to lose track of time and motivation for productivity. When your child attends a summer at Camp Tioga, not only will they be able to have a fun, technology-free summer, but they’ll also have a drive to be active and productive! It’s a win-win situation, for sure — and leaves more room for fun to be had!  

At Camp Tioga, we work with our campers to improve and develop new skills, as well as help build their confidence and self-esteem. We are confident that Camp Tioga is the right fit for any child. If you would like to become apart of our family, call 516-938-0894 or visit our website to enroll today!

Testimonial Spotlight: Camp Tioga

Although summer 2018 may be far away (10 months, to be exact), it’s never to early to start thinking about enrolling your child at Camp Tioga! With endless activities, scenic views and fun, what child wouldn’t want to spend their summer at the greatest summer camp on earth? But don't just take our word for it! See what our counselors, campers, and their families are saying about Camp Tioga in the reviews below:

“It is my son's first summer here at camp. The only way I could convince him to even try was to promise I would pick him up after 2 weeks. I just spoke to him yesterday and he's having a great time and doesn't want to come home. I couldn't be happier! Thank you, Camp Tioga staff!” -Parent

“Mad love for Tioga, everyone treats you like family and there is never a dull moment!” -Counselor

“Camp Tioga is such a fun and amazing place. I have made lifelong friends working here and I cannot wait to return for my third summer!” -Counselor

“The only regret I have about camp tioga is the fact I didn't go back the year after. Kicks me every summer knowing I should have returned!” -Camper

“Attending Camp Tioga was easily one of the best decisions of my life. I have not only made lifelong friends, but girls I can consider my sisters. When you attend Camp Tioga you feel as though you are apart of something bigger– a family. After 8 years of being a camper, I am beyond excited to become a counselor at my one and only summer home.” -Camper, now counselor

“Camp Tioga has helped shape me into the person I am today. Without this "little piece of heaven" I wouldn't have the most amazing friends/ experiences that I had ever had!” -Camper

“Camp Tioga has made me the person I am today, and has given me the most amazing friendships and memories. Being both a camper and a counselor I have learned so much over the past 10 summers and made such long lasting bonds and can't wait for another great summer!” -Former camper and counselor

“There is nothing that beats a summer at Tioga. The place, the people, the trapeze... it's my home away from home.” -Camper

At Camp Tioga, we work with our campers to improve and develop new skills, as well as help build their confidence and self-esteem. We are confident that Camp Tioga is the right fit for any child. If you would like to become apart of our family, call 516-938-0894 or visit our website to enroll today!

3 Ways to Preserve Summer Camp Memories

Fact: there’s nothing better than spending the summer at Camp Tioga. Although school may be in session, the wonderful memories of camp are still floating through the air. Unlike actual air, your child’s favorite summer camp moments can be preserved for a lifetime! If you’re looking to keep the spirit of summer around for the years to come, then you’ll love these simple DIY ideas:

Way #1: Make a Shadow Box

One of the most universal ways to preserve summer camp memories is to create a shadow box! Taking mementos from their epic summer at Tioga, piece together a physical collage consisting of a Tioga t-shirt, photos, crafts, and anything else baring great camp memories, and place them within the shadow box. Once you put together this one-of-a-kind piece, you can hang it up in your child’s room and they can admire it for years to come!

Way #2: Create a Scrapbook

Have a collection of photos from your child’s Camp Tioga experiences? Create a scrapbook of their favorite memories! When piecing together this scrapbook, you and your child can be as creative as possible — just like when your child attends one of our classes at camp! In addition to any photos you may have, you can also put any tiny mementos in there such as friendship bracelets!

Way #3: Build a Keepsake Box

Does your camper have a collection of sentimental items from their Tioga summer? Take a shoebox or a cardboard box and decorate the outside with your child’s favorite Camp Tioga memories and activities! Once you’ve completely decorated your Tioga Box, your camper can place any items they have from camp within. A keepsake box is a wonderful way for your child to relive their summer, no matter what season it is!

At Camp Tioga, we work with our campers to improve and develop new skills, as well as help build their confidence and self-esteem. We are confident that Camp Tioga is the right fit for any child. If you would like to become apart of our family, call 516-938-0894 or visit our website to enroll today!

3 Ways to Prepare Kids for School After Summer

Once the warm sun begins to dwindle down and freshly sharpened pencils are on the rise, summer vacation soon turns into the beginning of a new school year. Although it may be difficult to transition from camp activities to sitting in class, it can be done. Without further ado, here are some simple ways to turn summer mode into school mode at home:

Way #1: Make a Schedule

At Camp Tioga, our campers are always kept on a tidy schedule, bringing them from one fun activity to the next. Since a day in the classroom is built around a schedule, too, it’s important to implement a daily schedule at home for the next few weeks. To start: setup times for your child to wake up, to when they will read a book, to when they complete their chores. It’s the most essential way to help get that school schedule spirit going!

Way #2: Inspire Choice Making

One of the best ways to prepare kids for school is to let them make their own choices. Here at Camp Tioga, we let our campers make the choices that suit their interests, such as which activities they’d like to participate in. Before your child heads off to school, give them the option to choose simple things such as what they’d like to eat for lunch. Your child’s confidence will soar when they’re encouraged to make their own decisions.

Way #3: Keep the Books Open

Take advantage of the gorgeous weather with some outdoor reading! Just like the free time we factor into our campers schedules, you can do the same with your child’s schedule — but include reading a book into the equation. While reading is quite fun, it will also prepare your child for the assignments they’ll have at school, and may even spark a new hobby — if reading isn’t their hobby already!

At Camp Tioga, we work with our campers to improve and develop new skills, as well as help build their confidence and self-esteem. We are confident that Camp Tioga is the right fit for any child. If you would like to become apart of our family, call 516-938-0894 or visit our website to enroll today!

4 Things to Do in the Final Weeks of Summer With Your Kids

With the fine-tuned orchestrations of cicadas in the distance, the final weeks of summer are upon us. Although we sincerely wish that summer camp would continue throughout the year, it’s now time for school to take over and prepare our campers for next summer’s session. Even though the sun’s powerful rays may be winding down, there are still plenty of activities to do before class in session.

Host a Water Balloon Competition

One of our campers’ favorite activities at Tioga are the many water balloon competitions we hold! Before the brisk fall air arrives, have a family water balloon competition in your backyard! It’s a great way to keep cool in the summer sun and a fun way to run around and laugh. It will be one of the most memorable summer moments for sure!

Play Sports at the Park

Besides the wide variety of aquatic activities we offer at Tioga, our campers also love playing sports! For a fun-filled day with the family, visit your local park and play a game of soccer, baseball or basketball! You can even go a step further and create custom team jerseys before you head out the door.

Go On a Nature Walk

An incredible feature at Camp Tioga besides the many activities we offer are the views! One of our most popular features are the group nature walks we provide to our campers. Take your family on a nature walk at your local preserve and take in the incredible views! On your nature walk, bring a camera with you and take photos of all the wonderful wildlife you encounter!

Enjoy An Evening of Stargazing

There’s nothing better than a view of the stars above — especially at Camp Tioga! Instead of watching television one night, take your family outside and look up at the sky for some stargazing! You’ll be pleasantly surprised to see what celestial shapes you’ll spot!

At Camp Tioga, we work with our campers to improve and develop new skills, as well as help build their confidence and self-esteem. We are confident that Camp Tioga is the right fit for any child. If you would like to become apart of our family, call 516-938-0894 or visit our website to enroll today!